17 October 2009
skilltrainingltd Northern League Div. II
Sunderland RCA's unbeaten run in the league came to sudden end when they were defeated 2 - 0 by Newton Aycliffe at home.
This was the first visit of Newton Aycliffe to Meadow Park and they became the first team to beat us in the League this season.
The game started with both teams looking to play attacking football and as early as the third minute a cross from Davies was headed narrowly over by Davison.
Hoggeth was forced into action when Broom fired in a shot from 25 yards, which he managed to tip over the bar.
With the midfields cancelling each other out both teams reverted to a more direct style and Renshaw was unlucky with a shot that went wide.
RCA started to get on top as the half hour mark approached and McBryde, Davies, Halliday and Stewart were all guilty of holding onto the ball too long when a simple pass or shot might have resulted in a goal. The Aycliffe defence held out and on a quick counter Renshaw crossed into the box and Gardner was on hand to steer the ball home from six yards.
After the break RCA put the Aycliffe goal under siege and it took a truly brilliant save from Richardson to deny a McBryde header. A minute later and a corner from Stewart was met by Wardle who thundered his header onto the cross bar.
Aycliffe reacted with a cross from Renshaw which found Gardner in space inside the box, but he fired wide.
In the 70th minute Coghlan burst into the box and shot, but once again Richardson in the Aycliffe goal was equal to it.
Within a minute Aycliffe were 2 - 0 up. Broom beat two defenders before rolling the ball into the path of Owen who made no mistake from 10 yards.
RCA tried hard to get something from the last 15 minutes, but were well held by a great defensive display with special mention going to Mitton and Close.
RCA were not at their best today, but Aycliffe to their credit made it difficult for us to play our usual game.
